Adidas
Cross It Carbon CTRL 2026
The Adidas Cross It Carbon CTRL 2026 is a round control shape with a Carbon Aluminized 18K face, even balance and an EVA Soft Performance core. Control 9 and defence 8 for players who play through placement.
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Highest score in the Cross It line
Control focused • Comfortable • Forgiving
The Adidas Cross It Carbon CTRL 2026 is the carbon control variant in the Cross It line: a round shape with even balance, a Carbon Aluminized 18K face and an EVA Soft Performance core. Control 9/10 and defence 8/10 make it a racket for players who win points through placement and consistency. The round shape distributes the sweet spot evenly (8/10) and keeps the centre of mass central, mildly penalising off-centre contact. The EVA Soft Performance core adds comfort (8/10): for a carbon control racket, this is an accessible, undemanding profile. The trade-off is power 6/10 and smash 6/10. The even balance and round shape provide little head weight, so finishing from the baseline is not its strongest point. Players wanting more attacking capability within the line should look at the Cross It Carbon. Within the Cross It line, this model sits between the stiffer Cross It CTRL (High Memory EVA core, firmer) and the entry-level Team CTRL (fibreglass). Its Carbon Aluminized 18K face places its quality above the Team variant.
The Adidas Cross It Carbon CTRL 2026 weighs 360–375g, with a round shape and even balance. Profile 38mm. Face: Carbon Aluminized 18K. Core: EVA Soft Performance. Frame: Carbon 6K. Recommended price ~€280.
Within the Cross It line, this is the carbon control shape: rounder and more centrally balanced than the attacking Cross It Carbon, with a higher-quality face than the entry-level Team CTRL.
Cross It control variants 2026:
| Model | Face | Core | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon CTRL | Carbon Aluminized 18K | EVA Soft Performance | Comfortable, forgiving |
| CTRL | Carbon Aluminized 15K | High Memory EVA | Firmer, more direct |
| Team CTRL | Fibreglass | EVA Soft Performance | Entry-level, soft |
Technologies:
- Dynamic Air Flow, open holes in the bridge that reduce air resistance
- 11 Thirteen, eleven central holes with a smaller diameter than the other thirteen for stiffness
- Spin Blade Mold, surface relief for spin potential
- Structural Reinforcement, perimeter reinforcement against torsion on off-centre contact
- Smart Holes Curve, a hole layout designed for an even sweet spot
Control 9 is the key score. The round shape and even balance keep the centre of mass central, making placement and direction predictable. The Carbon Aluminized 18K face provides more direct feedback than entry-level fibreglass models, without the extreme stiffness of a power diamond.
Sweet spot is rated 8/10 and forgiveness 8/10. The round mould distributes the hitting area evenly and the Smart Holes Curve layout keeps the sweet spot large. Off-centre contact is penalised mildly, making the racket suitable for players who do not yet centre every ball.
Comfort is rated 8/10. The EVA Soft Performance core is softer than the High Memory EVA in the sister CTRL variant, providing a more pleasant contact feel during longer play. Defence is rated 8/10: low head weight and manoeuvrability make the racket strong in defensive positions and on blocks at the net.
Power is rated 6/10 and smash 6/10. The even balance provides little mass in the head, so finishing from the baseline requires more technique than force. Spin is rated 7/10: Spin Blade Mold provides enough grip for control-focused spin shots.
For players with some to extensive experience who prioritise control and consistency over raw power. The round shape and even balance make it an accessible control racket that remains predictable during longer rallies.
Both are round and control-focused, but the Carbon CTRL has an EVA Soft Performance core (softer, more comfortable) and the CTRL has a High Memory EVA core (firmer, more direct). The Carbon CTRL is the more accessible choice; the CTRL provides a harder, more precise response for players who appreciate that.
To a limited extent. With power 6 and smash 6, this is not a racket for finishing from the baseline. Players who want more attacking power within the Cross It line should choose the diamond-shaped, high-balance Cross It Carbon.
The Metalbone CTRL 3.4 is a low-balance teardrop with a similar control profile in a higher segment. The Cross It Carbon CTRL is round with even balance and a more accessible price. Choose the Metalbone CTRL for a teardrop playing character, or the Cross It Carbon CTRL for a round shape at a lower price.
Advantages
Control 9 and defence 8: a strong profile for placement and building points
Carbon Aluminized 18K face: a more direct response than entry-level fibreglass models
EVA Soft Performance core: comfortable and forgiving for a carbon control racket
A large, even sweet spot through the round shape and Smart Holes Curve
Considerations
Power 6 and smash 6: limited attacking capability
The even balance provides less head weight for overheads
No pro player or broad test coverage in this price segment
What you will notice as a player
You place the ball very precisely; controlling rallies, playing cross-court and finding the corners feels predictable.
The racket helps in defense: a calm swing sends balls off the glass deep again.
The sweet spot offers forgiveness: slightly imperfect contact loses little accuracy.
Comfortable in long matches: the racket cushions contact well, with little feedback in your arm.
The smash gets no easy power; depth and speed must come from your own follow-through.
Small timing errors show sooner: the ball leaves the face directly, so clean contact matters.
Which shots are affected most?
| Situation | What will you notice? |
|---|---|
| Defense | Plenty of help: the low balance and generous sweet spot return balls off the glass calmly and deep. |
| Volley | Crisp and agile: aiming feels effortless and late adjustments remain possible. |
| Bandeja | Very easy to control: the ball stays low and predictable, ideal for controlling the court. |
| Vibora | Very explosive: plenty of speed and bite, a natural shot for this racket. |
| Smash | Solid rather than explosive: depth and speed need your own follow-through. |
| Block | Stable: the racket is ready in time and returns the ball with control. |
| Off-center ball | Forgiving: just outside the sweet spot you lose little and the ball stays on course. |
Well suited to
Less suited to
This racket is likely to suit you if you…
want more control and placement
want more precision and a direct feel
want more comfort and cushioning
want plenty of help from your racket
This racket may disappoint if you…
want maximum smash power
like to play an attacking, explosive game
You will probably appreciate this racket if you…
- •value control and placement more than maximum power;
- •play often at the net and like quick hands;
- •want a racket that helps in defense;
- •want a forgiving racket with a generous sweet spot;
You may run into limitations if you…
- •want to finish points mainly using power from the face;
- •prefer softer, more forgiving contact;
- •want a pronounced specialist rather than an all-round racket;
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Indicatieve marktprijs
€207 ·